Why Is It Taking So Long To Get There?

Many of us have read The Station by Robert J. Hastings at some point in our lives.  I have read it numerous times over the years.  It never gets old or dated.  It is always a fresh message.  It always bears repeating.  It is unadulterated truth.  Read it.  Think about it.  Pass it on.

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.  We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent.  We are traveling by train.  Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

Have You Got Away With Doing Something Illegal?

I had a lot of fun interacting with the people who responded to my recent post on Facebook.  "I don't know if any of you have been bold enough to do what I just did. Just in case there would be knock on the door from the police, I told my husband what I was about to do. I thought about doing this for a long time and today I took the plunge. Today (please don't think less of me for doing this) I cut off all the manufacturer's tags on my throw pillows and rugs. I ignored the label warnings that it was against the law. There! That feels so much better to have that off my chest!"

Many responded that they would be visiting me in prison and others said they would bring me a 'special' cake.  Many said that they had also done the same but were never caught. 

Couldn't resist sharing this one:

Do You Have Trouble Finishing What You Started?

Do you struggle with finishing a project?  Do you have a great idea and then run into obstacles and shelve it, rather than finish it?  Do you sometimes get discouraged because you run into hurdles and can't seem to figure out how to complete the task?

I want to encourage you to do whatever it takes to fulfill that dream you had.  I speak from experience as most of my life I have been battered, beaten, broken and had more shattered dreams than any one person should have to endure.  But HOLD ON...You can do it!

Keep your focus.  Don't forget the dream.  Never forget in the darkness what you have seen in the light.  You will be rewarded.  Sometimes it may not be as quickly as you had hoped but perseverance pays off.

After years of struggling in a variety of arenas, I am finally seeing the fruit of all my labor.  Yes, there were many times when I felt it just wasn't worth it, but I assure you, it will be!

It took me ten years to write my memoir and it was not for lack of desire or time.  It was because it was so painful.  But when it finally went to print, doors of opportunity to write and to speak have poured into my life.

As difficult as it is to believe, all the pain and ugliness of the past can be turned into something good. We need to be tenacious with our dreams, our goals and see them through to the end.

WHAT IF??????

Afraid to Speak in Public? Two Secrets to Success

Public Speaking.   Speaking in Public.  Speaking to a large group of people. Speaking to a room full of your peers. There is an old adage that says some people fear public speaking more than death.

Speaking in public is my passion.  Motivating and inspiring people to do more, be more, laugh more, love more, and live better is the greatest reward.  Many people have a lot to share but are afraid to do it in a pubic forum. Two things that I have learned come from experience -- not a textbook or a public speaking course.  Master these two and your fears will be short-lived.

Arrested, But Why?

The silence was deafening.  The only sounds I heard were coming from inside my head.  I could hear the blood rushing through my veins from the palpitations of my heart.  My sweater was moving to the uneven rhythm.

I had to keep telling myself to remain calm.  I must be very careful not to appear flustered or guilty.  I tried taking deep breaths to slow down the pace of my heart which took every ounce of my strength and fortitude.  I grabbed my knees with both hands in an effort to stop them from shaking.  But that didn't seem to help, and fear prevented me from thinking rationally.

I Was Being Followed But By What?

I exhaled slowly.  I was trying to slow down my heart rate but fear had its grip on me. 

“Breathe.....”  

“Breathe...”  I kept telling myself.  “Slowly......breathe.”

It seemed to work and I tried to keep my thoughts focused on where I was headed and not be concerned about what was following me.  Or was I just imaging it?  The noise was a definite crackling sound, like footsteps breaking branches.  I couldn't turn around.  I had to keep going forward.

I'm Throwing a Pity Party For You and Everyone is Invited

Stressed. Hopelessness. Grief. Fear. Depressed. Hurt. Pain. Sadness. Overwhelmed. Tired. Angry.

How often have we experienced one of these emotions or any similar ones and felt we had to hide it from everyone?

Or what about this scenario? You are having one of your worst days in a long time and someone asks you how you are doing. In that split second you vacillate between “Should I tell them?” or “I wish they would go away.”

I remember being so good at hiding my pain that I answered that question with another question – “How are YOU?” It threw the conversation totally on them and they didn't even realize I never answered them.

I threw many pity parties during those years and no one ever showed up. After overcoming insurmountable hardships, I look back and wish I had had someone to share with, someone who would not judge me.

So …..... For those of you out there that need a chance to vent or to share your pain or whatever is bothering you......... Tell me, a stranger, how do you feel today? Sometimes it is a lot easier to talk to someone whom you have never met.

I'm a great listener and who knows, I may have been down a similar path and can empathize. If you want to share but don't want to do it publicly – just email me. I respond to all emails.

I would love to hear from you.

Pictures are courtesy of Chronic Curve and Sometimes Andrea Writes - Someecards

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